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Produce => Pests & Diseases => Topic started by: elhuerto on July 01, 2012, 12:14:41

Title: Small black hole in tomatoes
Post by: elhuerto on July 01, 2012, 12:14:41
Was tying up the tomatoes today and noticed quite a few with a small black hole in them, looking like something has burrowed in. Looks like it may have been a small maggotty thing, anyone know what is is and if there's any prevention? A couple of toms have been turned into a green smelly mash by it.
Title: Re: Small black hole in tomatoes
Post by: Jayb on July 01, 2012, 20:39:29
Sounds horrid. The only thing that springs to mind is the caterpillars of tomato moth. Green sometimes brown little monsters often eating the leaves but also the fruit. Usual giveaway sign is lots of green Caterpillar poo!
Title: Re: Small black hole in tomatoes
Post by: davyw1 on July 03, 2012, 14:22:48
elhuerto.... Have a google for Tomato Grub they bore hole into the fruit.
Title: Re: Small black hole in tomatoes
Post by: elhuerto on July 16, 2012, 17:12:48
I completely forgot I posted this so a very belated thanks for the replies. It does indeed look just like the tomato moth / grub - well illustrated here http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/services/collections/scientific-illustrations/zeck/tomato-caterpillar - will have to look up how to prevent (probably for next year's crop now though).
Title: Re: Small black hole in tomatoes
Post by: Jayb on July 17, 2012, 08:50:14
I had quite a few of them the last couple of years, they really can make a mess when they get going. I just try and squish them when I can find them, not always easy to find. This year I've only seen one maybe two small caterpillars, I think more to do with the weather being so naff.